Brad C. Thurman

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DailyTidings.com

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Posted Nov. 24, 2012 at 2:00 AM

Posted Nov. 24, 2012 at 2:00 AM

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Brad C. Thurman, a former Ashland Junior High School and Ashland High School coach and science teacher passed away peacefully November 15, 2012, in Green Valley, Ariz. surrounded by his loving family. He was born to W. G. and Marie Byram Thurman in Temple, Okla. on July 20, 1938. At six weeks of age the family returned to their home in South Pasadena, Calif.

Thurman graduated from South Pasadena High School in 1956. At SPHS he was an outstanding athlete earning varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball. As a senior, his team won All CIF in baseball. Brad was later named to the "South Pasadena Athletic Wall of Fame."

After playing baseball for San Bernardino City College, he was selected by the Dodger organization and signed with a farm team in Bluefield, W.V. He served in the U.S.Army for two years and returned to enroll at UCLA, where he earned a bachelors and masters degree in education in 1961.

After teaching science and coaching at Emerson Jr. High School, he accepted a position at Corona del Mar High School, where he was baseball coach. Eventually he moved to Ashland and taught middle and high school science and coached wrestling, baseball, football, and track for 20 years.

Brad was a true outdoors man, who enjoyed backpacking, camping, and fishing. He was a tri-athlete and superb tennis player. As a coach he was revered by his players, many of whom contacted him during his final days of a valiant battle with leukemia, expressing their appreciation and admiration. Thurman was the champion of the underdog--his mission was counseling students and athletes. During retirement he continued to swim, golf, and enjoy the Arizona desert. As a devout Christian, he participated in missions to Mexico and Kenya.

He will be missed by grandchildren, Brittney and Cole Thurman, Raymond and Grant Wohrman, Cassie and Austin Shroy, and Gavin, Reece and Avarie Knott. Additional family members include nieces and nephews, Michael Thurman (Michelle), David Thurman (Margaret), and Teresa Thurman Koontz (John); and grand-nieces and nephews, Taylor Thurman, Aubrey Thurman, Connor Thurman, Morgan Koontz, and Dylan Koontz.

Husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle, friend, teacher, coach, and mentor--we all will miss him. A memorial service will be held December 1, 2012, at the Evangelical Free Church of Green Valley, 1393 W. Mission Twin Battles Road, Green Valley, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Autism Awareness.